Is There an Ear Infection Home Remedy for Dogs?

Canine ear infections are potentially serious medical conditions
that should not be taken lightly. Veterinary consensus is that an
adequate ear infection home remedy does not exist. As such, it
is necessary to have your pet examined by a veterinarian in order to
ensure that an ear condition caused by bacterial infection or yeast
infection does not harm his ear drum or other vital parts. Your dog
relies on his hearing in many ways, and an ear infection that is left
untreated, or one that is treated improperly, can damage his hearing or
spread to other parts of his body.

Causes and Symptoms of Canine Ear Infections

Dogs with ear infections experience significant discomfort in and
around their ears. He may scratch at his head, rub his ears against
furniture or the ground or even shake his head. In addition, he may
experience some of the following symptoms:

Discharge from the ears

Foul smell from the ears

Redness or inflammation in and around the ears

If you suspect that your pet has an ear infection, take him to the
vet for an immediate inspection. If you fail to act promptly, not only
will your pet continue to experience pain and discomfort, but the ear
infection could also spread to other parts of the body or become worse.

Diagnosing Ear Infections

In order to diagnose your pet’s ear infection, your vet will
administer a physical exam with particular attention to the ear canals.
A tissue sample is often necessary in order to determine the bacterial
cause of the infection.

Treating Ear Infections

Home remedies for canine ear infections typically involve addressing
the symptoms of the infection. While these procedures may be helpful in
alleviating your dog’s discomfort, they do not address the underlying
cause of the symptoms themselves. To adequately treat your dog’s ear
infection, consult with a veterinarian for further advice.

The most common veterinary treatment for a bacterial or
yeast-related infection is an anti-bacterial drug treatment.
Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and other anti-microbials are
often used to counteract the spreading of the bacteria, effectively
reducing and, eventually, eliminating the infection at its source.
These drugs are typically available orally and in the form of ear drops.

In some cases, the ear infection is caused by a foreign body having
been lodged in the ear canal. In these cases, surgery or another
similar procedure may be necessary. Your vet can determine whether this
is the cause of your pet’s infection by thoroughly examining his ear
canal.

Finally, ear infections can be caused by other diseases that are
unrelated. In these cases, it is necessary to address the underlying
cause of the infection in order to treat the symptoms. Hypothyroidism
is a condition that commonly results in canine ear infections. If your
dog experiences frequent or recurring infections, make sure that you
are following all prescription drug treatment instructions. If you are,
consider the possibility that the infections are caused by an
underlying condition.

While it may be possible to partially alleviate your pet’s symptoms
at home, there is no reliable home treatment method to fully cure your
dog’s ear infection. It's always best in the long term to have your pet
examined by a veterinarian when he is experiencing any sort of sickness
or other condition.